Surviving a frantic final few minutes, Brighton and Hove took a big step towards clinching a top six place in the MHL Conference East when they saw off rivals Richmond 2-1 at Blatchington Mill on Sunday.

After a scrappy first half with openings at a premium, Brighton looked to be in control of the match with two goals in two minutes from skipper Rob Cornell and leading scorer Joe Naughalty early in the second half. But Richmond mounted a strong fightback in the closing stages, forcing a number of short corners which demanded some stout defending and several fine saves from Chris Borsoi. Scott Wall reduced the deficit from a corner with a minute to go and the game finished with another Richmond short corner, which was fired wide much to Brighton's relief.

The result leaves Brighton in fifth place with two matches remaining and a result in either of those - at Canterbury on Sunday or at home to Teddington on Sunday March 31 (2pm) - should see the job done.

Cornell's goal followed good work on the left by Robbert Schenk and the captain adroitly touched in his reverse pass from close range after 44 minutes. Two minutes later Naughalty converted one of Brighton's few penalty corners for his 15th league goal of the season and the points had appeared safe.

Brighton now have a three-point cushion to Teddington in sixth place and are four ahead of Richmond and Old Loughtonians with City of Peterborough a further point back. There are several fixtures between those jostling against each other over the final two rounds but happily Brighton's fate remains firmly in their own hands.

Champions Old Georgians dropped points for only the third time this season, coming from two goals down to draw with Peterborough while Canterbury won 3-1 at Teddington, Oxted edged bottom side Cambridge City 2-1 and Southgate emerged victorious from a high-scoring game with Old Loughtonians 6-4.

Having won the Sussex Veterans Cup last season so impressively, Brighton are looking forward to repeating their triumph this season and they have reached the final next month, although the field is a thin one says captain Carlo Missirian.

"A hugely disappointing turn out from the Sussex clubs and their respective Vets teams; normally at least four to five teams enter and on Friday we had three only - Horsham, Worthing and ourselves. By Sunday only Worthing and Brighton turned up and by default we are both in the final.

"We played a full 70 minutes and although both teams were through we certainly played as hard and as seriously as we could. Debutant and youngster Dan Hore spent little time getting to know the formidable Doc as they formed a new strike partnership in a 6-2 victory with Doc bagging five and a late surge for top club goal scorer yet again!

"Having been 4-0 up and totally dominating and then conceding two soft goals it seemed as though a Scotland comeback was on the cards... but two further goals from the maestro saw a comprehensive victory. Some really impressive team play, especially in the first half, showed again what a great team we have and how well we all play together.

"We will always take this cup seriously and do our very best to represent the BHHC family at the finals once again. Please come and support the living BHHC club old ledges at the cup finals on April 13, feel free to join the #begsbanterbus and your support as always will be very welcome!"

The 2s' wretched season in the Kent/Sussex Regional League is petering out. A 5-1 defeat on Saturday to the side immediately above them Old Williamsonians was their seventh in succession and leaves them nine points adrift at the bottom with one game left to play.

In Sussex League division one the 3s went down 3-2 at home to Worthing 2s
while a change of pitch at half-time helped the 4s performance at Horsham 3s but despite two goals from man of the match Richard Cook they were edged out 4-3.

Captain Carlo Missirian was disappointed but not downhearted. "Frustrating start with the game being postponed by minutes and also having to play the first half on the slower pitch," he notes. "1-0 down after 10 minutes but a great breakaway move and fine finish from Will Ireland saw us back in the game. Unfortunately a few errors and soft passes on a very slow pitch saw Horsham go into a 3-1 lead.

"Half time saw a pitch change and a much faster game, which suited us a great deal. More aggression and high tempo passing resulted in several shorts, Doc nailing one in the top left for 2-3. Real pressure and with the upper hand a great open play goal with another fine finish from Doc. A draw would have been a fair result but a few shorts for the opponents towards the end of the game was pressure we did not need and they scored one to beat us 4-3.

"With only 11 players it was a valiant effort but no points; however a really brilliant second half display."

The 5s assured themselves of second place in division two with a 3-2 home win over South Saxons 2s while the 6s secured mid-table status with a hard fought 1-0 win at Chichester 5s.

Ben Simon scored the only goal of the game from a slickly taken short corner early in the first half, reports Myles Ford. "Despite sustained opposition pressure and yet another missed Brighton P flick, the midfield and defence always looked secure and Brighton’s pace on the break always made them look the more likely to score.

Facing the free-scoring division four leaders East Grinstead 4s was likely to prove difficult and so it turned out for the 7s as they went down 6-0.

"This was always going to be a tough game against the top side averaging six goals a game," Gary Revel-Chion reports. "We had our usual slow start and found ourselves 0-3 down before we really got into the game. After that we had a good spell breaking up EG's play and creating some of our own chances.

"A couple of injuries and some tiring legs meant that EG kept up their average goals per game in the end. A hearty performance by everyone and no disgrace against a very good team who we hopefully won't have to play next season!"

The 8s fought out a 2-2 draw with Worthing 6s, conceding a late equaliser.

Matt Sale reports: "A good start to the game from the 8s; however we didn't take a couple of half chances. Worthing then dominated possession and chances and scored when the ball and Matt Rigby, our keeper, were bundled into the goal.

"We held on and a formation change at half time worked wonders with the 8s gaining the upper hand. A free hit from Neil Burlinson found Duke Quinton, who scored an unstoppable reserve hit. We scored a second when Laurie Meldon netted after a scramble. Worthing however equalised with a PC with five minutes to go and the game finished level. A special mention to Matt Rigby who volunteered to keep and had a very good game between the posts."